Lets talk low back pain/issues

[General Lee]

First I'd like to ask if anyone can recommend a good back brace and where they got it from. Something that supports the low back and is not to big and bulky.

I'm currently suffering from a couple bulged/herniated discs L-4, L-5 S-1. Also have onset of arthritis with minor nerve impingement, and the L-5 is also dengenerative AND to top it off, have onset of stenosis. I have some minor tingling and numbness in my feet and if the sciatica is involved its minor. Been to an Orthopedic who prescribed conservative treatment to start and doesn't feel I'm a candidate for surgery right now, which I'm good with. That will be a LAST resort for me. With all that said I have a lot of discomfort and the stretches and exercises are minimally helping. I've also seen a chiropractor a few times but they have been conservative as well. I to afraid to be popped and twisted on. I can't go back to the pain I was initially in. Anyone else in this club?

 

[cat fever]

I deal with some of the same issues.
I use a a stretchy velcro deal made by "R U Outside" It's called the "Back Thing"
I can do most anything I want, I just do it in pain most of the time. I started using the Back Thing a couple years ago while getting fire wood or riding my snowmobile or any kind of work/play that requires back work. My back feels much, much better since I have started using it.

Good luck. Every doctor I see can't see any problem with my back. But it hurts and my right leg is numb most of the time. Even right now as I type this.

 

[MossRoad]

The key for me was to do exercises that strengthen your core and spinal erector muscles. Those support your back and help alleviate pain quite a bit.

The one that does the most good for me is quite simple.

Lie on your back with feet together, legs flat to ground, hands down to sides by your thighs and palms flat on the floor.
Push down with your palms while holding your stomach in against your spine for 10 seconds and relax for 10 seconds.
Repeat for 1 minute to start.
Quite quickly, after just a few days, you can increase the length of time.
I do it for several minutes a couple times a day.
That's it. Helps tremendously.

Of course, consult with your DR before doing anything.... AND I MEAN ANYTHING!!! :laughing:

 

[TheMan419]

If you end up going the back surgery route make sure you find the best dang surgeon you can. Back surgery is dicey at best. Glad you look at it as a last resort. I am dealing with lower back pain, but it is all muscular so not nearly as bad as yours, but I feel your pain. Good luck!

 

[Looking4new]

Been there, done that. I have lived with degenerative disk disease since the 1980s'. Now i make sure that when I sit up I sit square to the seat I am in. As close to a 90 degree angle as I can get (NO slouching). It helps. If I have to stand for long periods of time I get a foot rest to put one foot on. The rest can be as low as 6", or as high as 16". It helps to keep your back straight.
I chew no goobers (pills) for pain, anymore. When my back first blew out I would chew up pills by the ton. That was when Dr.s would prescribe the 'good stuff' percodan, percocet, furinall and morphine. Not no more, now they tell you to take tylenol, which in my mind just kills your liver and does nothing for pain.

 

[Egon]

That lovely back pain! from the aging process.

For a brace just start looking at the stores selling medical AIDS/devices till you find what works for you.

Then add the really hard stuff, losing weight if need be and physical exersise. Exersise need not be Gym orientated weight stuff but stuff like walking and stretching that covers the whole body. Specifics are best gotten from accredited sources.

I'm not a doctor.

Personal expierience with wore out toe joints resulted in significant lower back pain. Probably due to improper walking. Surgery on the toes helped a lot.

 

[Goose69]

I feel your pain.. I've lived with debilitating back issues my entire adult life. In my early 20s I had a Dr, after looking at my MRI, " if I didn't know your age, I would have guessed I was looking at the spine of an 80yo.!!!"
I've had many procedures, a couple of minor surgeries, and a major one, and still live in pain.
Currently in my 40s and have days where it's not too bad, and can work and function pretty well.
then there are days like this past Tuesday, where I wouldn't even go sit on the tractor, it hurt so bad.
The things that will help the most, are also the most difficult. Any extra belly fat puts lots of stress on the back, so if you have any, try to lose it. Also core strengthening exercises, to build up supporting muscles will help as well.
(Of course both of these things are made more difficult, when back trouble has already presented itself,). So that may have to come after some treatment first.
One note about back braces, if you have degenerative disc issues, a back brace may offer support to the current discs you are having problems with, but may put extra stress on other parts of your back, causing further damage.
My last surgeon, advised against using a brace for daily activities, as it would just shift my stress points to a different area. That said, there were times when I had to get stuff done, and used a brace anyway. Go to a medical supply store, and find one that you like, but it may cause further problems. I very rarely use one anymore, knowing my condition now.
As a side note on surgery, my surgery was performed by a neurosurgeon, named Dr Cuddy. It's pronounced "Cutty" tho.
A few weeks ago, my son broke his arm, and his surgeon was named Dr Cutwright.
When I was younger, one of the Drs I went to, was Dr. Butcher. Hahaha

 

[General Lee]

That lovely back pain! from the aging process.

For a brace just start looking at the stores selling medical AIDS/devices till you find what works for you.

Then add the really hard stuff, losing weight if need be and physical exersise. Exersise need not be Gym orientated weight stuff but stuff like walking and stretching that covers the whole body. Specifics are best gotten from accredited sources.

I'm not a doctor.

Personal expierience with wore out toe joints resulted in significant lower back pain. Probably due to improper walking. Surgery on the toes helped a lot.

The sad part is I'll be 40 this fall. To young to have these issues. I'm active and workout regularly (until recently due to this injury) and have lost 40 pounds. I will admit my workouts had been about building muscle the past 2 years and have neglected precise core exercises and specific low back exercises. The numbness in the feet is what is troublesome the most to me. Really worries me.

 

[PJSprog]

I've dealt with lower back pain for most of my life. I compressed a disc when I was 22. I'll be 51 this year, and it doesn't get easier to deal with as you age.

My first advice: get over your fear/distrust of chiropractic. This sort of thing is exactly what it's designed to help.

Secondly, I've had great success using a TheraCane. Coupled with the use of a heating pad, you can alleviate a lot of your own discomfort without leaving your home, and without drugs.

Maintaining a reasonable weight and core fitness help tremendously as well.

 

[riptides]

... Also have onset of arthritis with minor nerve impingement, and the L-5 is also dengenerative AND to top it off, have onset of stenosis. I have some minor tingling and numbness in my feet ...

Ugh, if you have the onset of stenosis, then I'd recommend both a neurological and orthopedic specialist be involved in giving you proper guidance. Are you getting opinions from both?